Our Team

Administration

Jesse A. Kushner, M.Ed., CEO

Founder/CEO

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Jesse A. Kushner, M.Ed., CEO

Position: Founder/CEO

Thirty-Eight years of experience working as a Special Education teacher, assistant principal and a Director of Education for children with Intellectual, multiple disabilities, emotional disabilities, and Autism. Established Professional Education and Respite Service in April of 2005 out of the need to make a stronger connection and establish consistency between home and school. As the business grew, Mr. Kushner saw an immediate need for in home ABA therapy thus in August of 2014 the company became New Horizons Professional ABA Services to clearly define the major service being provided to children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and other Developmental Disabilities.

Nicole Van Zandt COO

Chief Operating Officer

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Nicole Van Zandt COO

Position: Chief Operating Officer

As the COO of New Horizons Professional ABA Services Inc., Nicole is responsible for running all facets of the business. After making a career change in 2011 and leaving the home health care industry she joined New Horizons and quickly advanced to the position of COO. Having a son with developmental disabilities helped facilitate Nicole’s career change and has made her strong advocate for the special needs’ population. She currently resides in Northern Virginia with her husband, four children and her three fur babies.

Brandy Davis

Office Manager

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Brandy Davis

Position: Office Manager

Brandy Davis joined New Horizons Professional ABA Services in September of 2013. Brandy assists staff handles billing and employee management. Ms. Davis came to us with 10+ yrs. office management experience. She lives in Winchester with her husband and three children. Brandy enjoys spending her free time outdoors and with her family.

Rachel Kindall

Client Relations Manager

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Rachel Kindall

Position: Client Relations Manager

Rachel Kindall joined New Horizons in 2014. She handles client management for NHABA. She assists with the screening process, authorizations, and billing. Rachel lives in Middletown with her husband and son. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and teaching Sunday school.

Michael Van Zandt

Administrative Support Specialist

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Michael Van Zandt

Position: Administrative Support Specialist

Michael Van Zandt has lived in Northern Virginia with his wife and children since 2000. He joined New Horizons in August of 2017 with 6 plus years of human resource management. He is an avid fisherman and enjoys spending time outdoors whenever possible.

Stephanie Mercier Cooksey, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA

Senior Behavior Analyst

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Stephanie Mercier Cooksey, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA

Position: Senior Behavior Analyst

Stephanie joined New Horizons Professional ABA Services in 2012. A Massachusetts native, she received her Master’s degree in Special Education from Saint Leo University in Florida and a Master’s Certificate in Behavioral Intervention in Autism from the University of Massachusetts Lowell in Massachusetts. She was a special education teacher, working with a variety of disabilities, before pursuing a career in behavior analysis. Stephanie received her Board Certification in 2009. She worked as a behavior analyst for several years and in 2013, she was promoted to Senior Behavior Analyst. Stephanie is enthusiastic and dedicated to working with children with disabilities, having first-hand experience growing up with a sibling on the Autism spectrum. Stephanie has worked as a home-based behavioral therapist, overseen home-based programs, designed training protocols for ABA therapists and supervisors and has consulted with families and schools. She has experience using the VB-MAPP, ABLLS and the AFLS. Stephanie’s interests include PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System), Functional Communication Training, Discrete Trial Training, and Activities of Daily Living.

Brooke Fay, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA

Senior Behavior Analyst

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Brooke Fay, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA

Position: Senior Behavior Analyst

Brooke joined New Horizons Professional ABA Services in 2014. She received her B.S. and M.Ed. in Special Education from the University of Maryland, and prior to becoming a BCBA she taught high school and middle school special education in both Maryland and Oklahoma. Brooke holds an Applied Behavior Analysis Certificate from the Florida Institute of Technology and became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in 2015. She was promoted to a Senior Behavior Analyst for NHABA in 2016. Although the majority of Brooke’s teaching background was with high school students, since becoming a BCBA she has primarily worked with children ages two through eight and enjoys working with clients of all ages. Brooke is dedicated to working with her clients and their families to help them achieve their goals and feels very fortunate to be working in a field that can facilitate life-changing results.

Taylor Freeman, M.A., BCBA, LBA

Assistant Senior Behavior Analyst

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Taylor Freeman, M.A., BCBA, LBA

Position: Assistant Senior Behavior Analyst

Taylor joined New Horizons Professional ABA Services in October 2015 and loves being able to work directly with clients and families every day. She received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Virginia Tech in 2013 where she worked as a research assistant in the Virginia Tech Autism Clinic. Taylor continued her education through Ball State University earning her Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis and became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in 2017.

Our Team

Board Certified Behavior Analysts

Tina Dittmer, M.S., BCBA, LBA

Behavior Analyst

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Tina Dittmer, M.S., BCBA, LBA

Position: Behavior Analyst

Tina has lived in Northern Virginia since 2001. She is a career switcher having spent over 15 years working in the field of operations and organizational development for large corporations. When her son was born in 2006, she wanted a change. Tina went back to school and earned her Masters Degree in Human Development from Pacific Oaks College. She began her journey toward a BCBA certificate in 2013, when she joined New Horizons Professional ABA Services Inc. She became a BCBA in 2016. She has since utilized her experience with her Autistic/ADHD and continuing education to help other families. “I enjoy working with the wonderful families I have met and hope to provide the best services possible for all the children in my care.”

Carrie Glover, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA

Behavior Analyst

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Carrie Glover, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA

Position: Behavior Analyst

Carrie joined New Horizons Professional ABA services in June of 2016. She has thirteen years of experience helping children with special needs. Carrie earned her M.Ed. and her BCBA from Vanderbilt University in 2015, graduating with honors. Since then, she has gone on to publish a peer modeling study in Inclusion magazine and taught special education in the greater Nashville area. Upon moving to Northern Virginia, Carrie told NHABA, “I love helping kids to attain skills they can be proud of, and I appreciate that my work facilitates their independence.”

Sarah Reynolds, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA

Behavior Analyst

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Sarah Reynolds, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA

Position: Behavior Analyst

Sarah Reynolds joined New Horizons Professional ABA Services in July 2015. Prior to joining New Horizons Sarah worked as a Special Education Resource teacher for children in grades K-3 grade with Developmental Disabilities for 3 years including students with Autism, Downs Syndrome, Fetal Alcohol, emotional disabilities, ADHD, and learning disabilities. During her first year of teaching Sarah met a student with Asperger’s Syndrome who changed the course of her teaching career and life. Attending his graduation from high school where he received a regular education diploma was one of the highlights of her career. She worked as a self-contained Autism teacher focusing on children in Kindergarten thru second grade for 13 years in Warren and Loudoun Counties in Virginia. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Latin and Elementary Education as well as a Masters in Special Education from the College of William and Mary. She received a post Graduate certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis from Penn. State. Sarah became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in 2008.

Janet Rogers, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA

Behavior Analyst

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Janet Rogers, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA

Position: Behavior Analyst

Janet is proud to be a member of the NHABA staff, having joined in 2012. She received her M.Ed. in ECSE from James Madison University. She previously taught Special Education in Loudoun County, Fairfax County, and Kansas City. She holds teaching endorsements in ECSE (preschool), ID, LD, and Autism. Janet received her BCBA in November 2014. Her interests include Verbal Behavior, Theory of Mind, and IEP advocacy. In her free time, Janet spends time with her husband and two daughters, plays tennis, reads, and travels.

Sarah Rzepka, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA

Behavior Analyst

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Sarah Rzepka, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA

Position: Behavior Analyst

Sarah has seven years’ experience teaching children with special needs in the public-school system, and received her Master’s degree in Early Childhood Special Education and an Applied Behavior Analysis Certificate from George Mason University. She was certified as a BCBA in February 2014 and has been privileged to work alongside many amazing New Horizons families and their children since that time. Sarah loves to witness children make positive gains, experience problem behavior reduction, and acquire the language and functional skills ABA can facilitate. She is passionate about teaching every child individually and supporting them to reach their greatest potential. Sarah enjoys spending time with her young son and husband, time with family and friends, reading, cooking, and creating things.

Shaniece Nunn M.Ed., BCBA, LBA

Behavior Analyst

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Shaniece Nunn M.Ed., BCBA, LBA

Position: Registered Behavior Technician

I have worked with adults and children with autism and numerous other disabilities for 7 years and have been with New Horizons since 2015. I received my BA in Psychology in 2015 and my Master’s in Education in April 2018 from the University of Cincinnati. I truly enjoy every minute of the work we do and I always look forward to making lasting, meaningful changes with our individuals! I was born and raised in Martinsburg, West Virginia and currently reside in Inwood, West Virginia with my fiancé, dog and cat. In my free time, I enjoy cooking, playing video games and reading.

Amy Neal, Ph.D., BCBA, LBA

Behavior Analyst

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Amy Neal, Ph.D., BCBA, LBA

Position: Registered Behavior Technician

Amy Neal has been with New Horizons since 2016. She holds bachelor’s degrees in psychology and human development, a master’s degree in experimental psychology, a PhD in developmental psychology, and a graduate certificate in ABA. She has been a RBT since 2017 and is taking part in New Horizons’ behavior analyst training program. She is dedicated to working with children and families to achieve their goals. Amy is a Virginia native who enjoys spending time with her family and spoiling her dogs.

Our Team

Registered Behavior Technicians

Nazia Ali, B.A., RBT

Registered Behavior Technician

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Nazia Ali, B.A., RBT

Position: Registered Behavior Technician

I have been working with New Horizon’s as a behavior therapist since January 2013 and have been a certified RBT since November 2016. I received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication Sciences from the University of Vermont in 2005. After graduating, I moved abroad to countries including Switzerland and Bahrain where I worked as an Assistant Teacher in schools for children with special needs. I have gained a considerable amount of experience and knowledge in ABA since I started working at New Horizons, and I find working as a behavior therapist to be rewarding.

Rebecca Gardner, RBT

Registered Behavior Technician

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Rebecca Gardner, RBT

Position: Registered Behavior Technician

Rebecca joined New Horizons Professional ABA Services in December 2017. Before she worked for New Horizons, she was a Respite Care Attendant. She became a Certified Registered Behavior Technician in April 2018. Her biggest professional accomplishment as an employee for New Horizons Professional ABA Services is helping her clients feel like valued members of their community. She realizes it can be difficult for others with less knowledge of disabilities to be accepting of children with special needs. Rebecca is able to help mend that gap by running social skills and other inclusion programs in the community.

Kareece Henderson B.S., RBT

Registered Behavior Technician

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Kareece Henderson B.S., RBT

Position: Registered Behavior Technician

Kareece Henderson is a graduate of Radford University. She has a BS in Special Education and Human Development. She has been working with children for 15 plus years. She has experiences working with children with and without disabilities, of various ages. She has been working as an ABA therapist for a total of 7 years. In February of 2018, she obtained her RBT certification. She enjoys what she does and loves the company she works for.

Delinda Hinnant, M.Ed., RBT

Registered Behavior Technician

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Delinda Hinnant, M.Ed., RBT

Position: Registered Behavior Technician

Delinda has 17 years’ experience teaching children with special needs in the public-school system, holds a Master’s degree in Special Education from George Mason University, and a Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis from the Florida Institute of Technology. Delinda joined NHABA in May of 2017 and while teaching full time, became a Registered Behavior Technician, and has almost completed her 1500 Supervision hours supervised by Sarah Rzepka. “There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.” – Nelson Mandela

Kendra Lankford, RBT

Registered Behavior Technician

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Kendra Lankford, RBT

Position: Registered Behavior Technician

Kendra has been with New Horizon Professional ABA Services since 2015. Before joining New Horizon Professional ABA Services, Kendra worked as an in-home respite care worker for children with Autism and Down Syndrome as well as worked at Key Center, gaining experience in a school setting. She earned her title as Registered Behavior Technician in August 2016. Kendra’s favorite part of the job is helping children to gain independence in their daily living skills and helping them to improve communication.

Pamela Mc Clung, RBT

Registered Behavior Technician

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Pamela Mc Clung, RBT

Position: Registered Behavior Technician

After retiring from creating, developing and teaching at a private preschool in the Northern Virginia area, joining NHABA was the perfect opportunity for me to continue my life’s work of nurturing the social, emotional and cognitive development of young children. I applied the basic principles of positive reinforcement and role modeling daily in my classroom but only wish I had the powerful strategies of RBT training at the beginning of my career. Entering the field of ABA and working with NHABAs professional BCBAs, extends my growth in the early education field as well as filling a personal desire to “give back” to those with special needs. Working “one-on-one” to enhance the lives of little ones along with providing assistance and support to the families who love them is extremely rewarding. Adding balance to my life, I enjoy living in the country with my husband and teenage blue and gold macaw along with gardening, Zumba and politics.

Tiana Purvis, B.S. RBT

Registered Behavior Technician

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Tiana Purvis, B.S. RBT

Position: Registered Behavior Technician

Tiana Purvis joined New Horizons in April 2017, and in the same year received her RBT certification. She enjoys working with children of all ages and is enthusiastic about enhancing their abilities. She specializes in the care of children with autism; ““I enjoy the uniqueness I experience with each child. People learn and respond in different ways. I pride myself on adapting to each person’s needs and meeting them where they are”.

Tiana received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a concentration in special education from James Madison University in 2015. She holds a graduate certificate in Autism from Regent University (2018). Tiana is currently completing her master’s in special education and graduate certificate in applied behavior analysis, in order to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She is truly dedicated to her profession, the care of children and their families.

Yodit Reinhold B.A., RBT

Registered Behavior Technician

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Yodit Reinhold B.A., RBT

Position: Registered Behavior Technician

Yodit Reinhold has been with New Horizons Professional ABA Services since September 2015 soon after she earned her B.A. in Sociology with a concentration in Childhood and Youth from George Mason University. She received her Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) Certificate from the BACB in 2016. She obtained her master’s degree in special education in conjunction with Applied Behavior Analysis Graduate Certificate program from George Mason University in 2018. Currently Yodit is preparing to sit for the Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) exam to obtain her BCBA certification. Since 2005, Yodit has gained extensive experience working with children of all ages, particularly with special needs children. As a mother of a child with special needs Yodit finds great purpose in helping her clients and their families. She is enthusiastic and passionate in pursuing her professional interests and continuing her education.

Melissa Sherrill, B.A., RBT

Registered Behavior Technician

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Melissa Sherrill, B.A., RBT

Position: Registered Behavior Technician

I was born and raised in West Virginia. I got my bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in child development at Shepherd University. I joined New Horizons with two years of experience working with children with autism and have been with the company for over a year. I received my RBT certificate in 2018. Every day is a different day full of new challenges and new triumphs. Nothing makes me happier than seeing the look of pride on my kid’s and family’s faces when they make a breakthrough, no matter how big or small. In my spare time I enjoy tending to my cat’s every need and binge-watching tv shows.

Ashley Updike B.S., RBT

Registered Behavior Technician

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Ashley Updike BS, RBT

Position: Registered Behavior Technician

Ashley joined New Horizons Professional ABA Services in June of 2016 and became a Registered Behavior Technician in January of 2017. She received her BS from Radford University. Ashley is currently completing a M.Ed. in Special Education with a certificate in Applied Behavioral Analysis through George Mason University and a MS in Communication Disorders and Sciences through California State University Northridge. She enjoys working with children of any age and after graduation hopes to practice as both a BCBA and SLP. In her spare time, Ashley enjoys spending time with her husband, two dogs, and family.